Coping With Nocturnal Enuresis (bedwetting)

With five kids, it is probable that we’d have a bed wetter. Our son C is six years old and for most nights of his life, has wet the bed almost every night

We have tried the following things to cope with this problem:
•pull-ups, rubber pants, cloth pants for older kids
•limiting fluids after a certain time
•waking in the middle of the night to use the bathroom
•chuxs and or bed pads
•resignation

I was beginning to think that he would be wet until high school. It was highly embarrassing to him (particularly since his twin is dry all the time). We are just beginning the age of sleepovers and boy scout camp outs, and I didn’t want him to have to be ashamed. Unfortunately, my friends didn’t have any enlightening answers either. I also didn’t want this to become a millstone such as the 12-year old who wets the bed. My stepson was such a child, and it was painful for him. I figured that if we could fix it now, all the better.

One day while perusing Amazon for pull ups (again), my search engine directed me toward some new items. One of these articles was the TheraPee program. I tend to trust Amazon reviews, especially the reviews that did not receive money for their evaluations. I was blown away by the price tag (it’s over $200.00), but the reviews were fantastic. I filed it onto my wishlist.

Time passed, we went through more and more dollars of pull ups, laundry and reusable bed wetting pads. I had some Amazon credits and a recent VA back pay, so I bit the bullet and purchased the Therapee program. I DID NOT receive money or this product for free. To say I was nervous is an understatement, especially after spending so much money.

Here’s how it works:

For the price tag, you get the Therapee alarm pad. It looks like this:

There is also video coaching in which a therapist talks to your child. This is bi-monthly, and although it is prerecorded it is related to your child’s progress.

Additionally, there is an online progress chart that we complete nightly.

The Therapee alarm goes under the bottom sheet. It’s a pretty sensitive signal, and the sensitivity can be adjusted. At first, we had it going off when C was sweating, but we changed the sensitivity. The monitor (displayed in the photo), sits on his dresser next to his bed. The device allows for setting alterations.

But it’s not about the alarm alone.

First, the doctor had C work on controlling his urine stream. He practiced stopping the flow during urination and then releasing it again.

He also works on opening and closing his eyes rapidly. This helps to modify his Spinal Galant reflex. I had no idea that vision therapy could help bedwetting. Here is an article describing vision therapy.

This program has been a complete game changer!

We are in our second month of treatment.

The difference is evident in the charts. Blue stars represent dry nights. Red stars occur after three consecutive dry nights. What you can’t see in the image is the nights without stars (wet nights) have an expandable menu that you type in the hours period of wetting, the wetness measurement and if the child woke on his own. Every two weeks we check in with the therapist and get a new assignment to practice.

My son feels he can now proudly sleep away from home. I see such a difference in his confidence. To me, that is priceless!

Some caveats:

This program is not for children younger than 4.

You have to follow the program. Use the online chart daily.

Children older than 12 might not be as excited by the rewards system visual as my 6-year-old. I believe there is an older child program. Contact the program for more information.

This post contains an affiliate link. An affiliate link is a link to a product I like and trust on Amazon.

I am so glad you found something to help your son. I wet the bed until I was in the 6th grade. There was a lot of stress in our home and I think that is why most of us kids wet the bed. I’m so glad your little one has the confidence in being able to sleep away from home. Thanks for sharing with Thankful Thursdays.